The National Inland Waterways Authority has conducted a test run of moving containers from Onne Port to Onitsha River port recently.
According to the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority, Chief Dr. George N. Moghalu during the arrival of the containers from Onne to Onitsha River Port, said “the aim of the test run is to break the jinx and encourage partnership with the Barge Operators Association.
It is possible to move containers from Onne to Onitsha by water successfully and Onitsha to Onne as well”.
He further said, “This is the first phase of the test run and the second phase will be from Lagos Ports to Onitsha Riverport and Onitsha to Lagos”.
NIWA is giving good exemplary leadership to all investors that are moving goods on the waterways as it is economically viable and safe so that investors can key in and benefit the potentials of water transportation.
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Moghalu added that as part of his commitment since he assumed duty as the Managing Director, is to ensure that the Onitsha port is fully functional after 42 years of construction and commissioned in 2012 but has not been put to use.
The exercise is in preparation of the full official operation of the port which will commence by first quarter of 2021.
The Managing Director also said, “There is no doubt that the full operation of the Riverport will boost Economic activities in Anambra State and South-East, create jobs and wealth for our teeming youths, reduce the bottleneck in clearing goods and save money wasted in transporting containers from different port to the South-East, decongest our ports in Lagos and reduce the pressure on our roads”.
